System and method for water connection convertibility

ABSTRACT

A water heater appliance and a method of configuring or reconfiguring said appliance for connection to one or more external conduits located above or below said appliance is disclosed. The water heater appliance comprises a housing at least partially defining an interior. At least one conduit is positioned within the interior and has a fixable conduit section and a movable conduit section coupled at a joint and movable relative to the fixable conduit section. The joint permits rotation of the movable conduit section about an axis of the joint while remaining coupled to the fixable conduit section. The movable conduit section is movable for being oriented or reoriented for alignment with an opening in an upwardly-facing surface of the housing, or oriented or reoriented for alignment with an opening in a downwardly-facing surface of the housing, for the water heater appliance to be configured for connection to the external conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/391,341, titled “System and Method for Water ConnectionConvertibility,” filed Jul. 22, 2022, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to movable conduits and ajoint for coupling sections of conduits, and more particularly, to ajoint for coupling sections of internal conduits to configure orreconfigure a water heater for connection to one or more externalconduits located above or below the water heater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, water heaters are installed by forming connections (e.g.hot/cold water connection assemblies) with one or more external conduits(e.g. water line, etc.) located above or below the water heater. Basedon the fixed location of the one or more external conduits relative tothe water heater, non-interchangeable components having a specificgeometry or orientation are required for proper installation. Thus,there remains a need for improvements in configuring water connectionsduring installation of water heaters, in terms of cost, ease ofinstallation, and manufacturability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein is directed to a water heater, ajoint for coupling sections of internal conduits to configure orreconfigure a water heater for connection to one or more externalconduits located above or below the water heater, and a method forconfiguring or reconfiguring a water heater for connection to one ormore external conduits located above or below the water heater.

In one example, a water heater appliance comprises a housing at leastpartially defining an interior, the housing having at least one sidewall, a top portion with an upwardly-facing surface and a bottom portionwith a downwardly-facing surface. The water heater appliance includes atleast one conduit positioned within the interior of the housing, the atleast one conduit having a fixable conduit section and a movable conduitsection coupled at a joint to the fixable conduit section. The movableconduit section is movable relative to the fixable conduit section, suchthat the movable conduit section can be oriented or reoriented foralignment with an opening in the upwardly-facing surface of the housing,or can be oriented or reoriented for alignment with an opening in thedownwardly-facing surface of the housing, such that the water heaterappliance can be configured for connection to an external conduitlocated above or below the water heater appliance, or can be oriented orreoriented for alignment with an opening in the at least one side wallof the housing, such that the water heater appliance can be configuredfor connection to an external conduit located adjacent the at least oneside wall of the housing of the water heater appliance. The joint isconfigured to permit rotation of the movable conduit section about anaxis of the joint while remaining coupled to the fixable conduitsection.

In another example, a joint for coupling sections of conduit within aninterior of a water heater appliance is disclosed. The sections ofconduit being configured are to be disposed within an interior of ahousing having a top portion with an upwardly-facing surface and abottom portion with a downwardly-facing surface. The joint comprises aconnector for coupling the sections of conduit. The connector has anaxis about which at least one of the sections of conduit can be rotatedat least 180 degrees, such that an end portion of the at least onesection of conduit is adjacent the opening in the upwardly-facingsurface of the housing and the downwardly-facing surface of the housing.The joint includes a clip configured to couple the connector to at leastone of the fixable conduit section and the movable conduit section,thereby restricting movement of the connector relative to the fixableconduit section or the movable conduit section.

In yet another example, a method of configuring or reconfiguring a waterheater appliance for connection to one or more conduits located adjacentthe water heater appliance is disclosed. The method comprisespositioning the water heater appliance relative to one or more conduitslocated adjacent the water heater appliance and checking the orientationof a movable conduit section of the water heater appliance coupled at ajoint to a fixable conduit section of the appliance. If the movableconduit section of the water heater appliance is oriented toward anopening in an upwardly-facing surface of a housing of the water heaterappliance and the one or more external conduits is located below thewater heater appliance, the movable conduit section is reorientedrelative to the fixable conduit section about a joint between themovable conduit section and the fixable conduit section until themovable conduit section of the water heater appliance is oriented towardan opening in a downwardly-facing surface of the housing of the waterheater appliance. If the movable conduit section of the water heaterappliance is oriented toward an opening in downwardly-facing surface ofthe housing of the water heater appliance and the one or more externalconduits is located above the water heater appliance, then the movableconduit section is reoriented relative to the fixable conduit sectionabout the joint between the movable conduit section and the fixableconduit section until the movable conduit section of the water heaterappliance is oriented toward the opening in the upwardly-facing surfaceof the housing of the water heater appliance. The method includessecuring the movable conduit section for connection.

In still another example, a water heater appliance comprises a housingat least partially defining an interior. The housing has a plurality ofside walls, with each side wall having a respective side-facing surface.At least one conduit is positioned within the interior of the housing.The at least one conduit includes a fixable conduit section and amovable conduit section coupled at a first joint to the fixable conduitsection. The movable conduit section is movable relative to the fixableconduit section, such that an end portion of the movable conduit sectioncan be oriented or reoriented for alignment with an opening in one ormore of side-facing surfaces, such that the water heater appliance canbe configured for connection to an external conduit located adjacent theplurality of side walls of the water heater appliance. The first jointis configured to permit rotation of the movable conduit section about anaxis of the first joint while remaining coupled to the fixable conduitsection.

In yet another example, a water heater appliance configured to beconnected to an external conduit that may be oriented in one of pluraloptional orientations is disclosed. The water heater appliance comprisesa housing that at least partially defines an interior and includesplural surface portions. The water heater appliance also includes aninternal conduit extending within the interior of the housing. Theinternal conduit has a fixed conduit section that is fixed in positionrelative to the housing, and a movable conduit section that is coupledto the fixed conduit section for movement relative to the fixed conduitsection and for movement relative to the housing. The movable conduitsection comprises a proximal end coupled to the fixed conduit sectionand a distal end configured to be coupled to the external conduit. Themovable conduit section is movable relative to the fixed conduit sectionand relative to the housing such that the distal end of the movableconduit section can be selectively oriented or reoriented for alignmentwith each of the surface portions of the housing. The distal end of themovable conduit section is movable into alignment with one of thesurface portions of the housing that corresponds to one of the optionalorientations of the external conduit. The distal end of the movableconduit section is also movable into alignment with another one of thesurface portions of the housing that corresponds to another one of theoptional orientations of the external conduit. The distal end of themovable conduit section is movable into alignment with the one or theanother one of the surface portions of the housing for coupling with theexternal conduit when the external conduit is oriented in the one or theanother one of the optional orientations of the external conduit,respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is best understood when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, with like elements having thesame reference numerals. When a plurality of similar elements arepresent, a single reference numeral may be assigned to the plurality ofsimilar elements with a small letter designation referring to specificelements. When referring to the elements collectively or to anon-specific one or more of the elements, the small letter designationmay be dropped. This emphasizes that according to common practice, thevarious features of the drawings are not drawn to scale unless otherwiseindicated. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features maybe expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are thefollowing figures:

FIGS. 1A-1D depict exemplary water heater appliances, with some surfacesor side walls removed to show exemplary conduits.

FIGS. 2A-2B depict detailed views of an exemplary interface between ajoint, a movable conduit section, and a fixable conduit section.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method of configuring or reconfiguring thewater heater appliance of FIGS. 1A-1D, for connection to one or moreconduits.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict an exemplary panel mount flange that can be used witha water heater appliance according to an embodiment of this invention.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict an exemplary interface between the panel mount flangeof FIGS. 4A-4B and a portion of the housing, for connection to one ormore external conduits.

FIG. 6A depicts a front view of the housing, with some surfaces or sidewalls removed to show an exemplary range of movement of the moveableconduit section.

FIGS. 6B-6C depict side views of the housing of FIG. 6A, showing anexemplary area of clearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the disclosed subject matter relate to water heaters andmethods for configuring or reconfiguring water heaters for connection toone or more external conduits located above or below the water heater.The disclosed water heaters and methods for configuring or reconfiguringthereof may provide improvements in efficiency and ease of installationof water heater appliances. Such improvements may be created, forexample, due to the reduction in number of components required forinstallation, the flexibility in orientation of components forconnection to one or more external conduits located above or below thewater heater appliance, or improvements in the cost and/or resourcesassociated with producing or installing water heaters.

The subject matter disclosed herein is described primarily with respectto water heaters. However, it will be understood that the scope of thisdisclosure is not so limited. The subject matter of this disclosure isapplicable to any type or variety of equipment designed for connectionwith one or more external conduits located above or below the equipment.In particular, this disclosure is not limited to devices for heatingwater (i.e. H₂O). As used herein, the terms “water heater,” “waterheater appliance,” and “water heating” are intended to encompass anysystem, device, or method adapted to generate and maintain a source ofheated fluid.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate an example waterheater appliance 100. At least one conduit 102 is depicted within ahousing 104 of water heating appliance 100. At least one conduit 102 maybe configured or reconfigured for connection to one or more externalconduits located above or below the water heater appliance 100. As ageneral overview, water heating appliance 100 has a housing 104, atleast one conduit 102, and a joint 106. Additional details of waterheating appliance 100 are described below.

Water heating appliance 100 comprises a housing 104 which at leastpartially defines an interior 108. Additionally, the housing 104includes a top portion 110 with an upwardly-facing surface 110 a and abottom portion 112 with a downwardly-facing surface 112 a. In anexemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, housing 104 housesin interior 108, components adapted for generating and maintaining areadily usable source of hot water (e.g., a source of energy, such aselectricity or fuel such as oil or natural gas, which is consumed by aburner). The housing 104 is illustrated to have a generally rectangulargeometry in FIGS. 1A-1B, but one skilled in the art would understandfrom the description herein that housing 104 may have a size and shapethat is dependent on a size and shape of the components intended to behoused therein. The housing 104 may be comprised of separate components,or may be integrally formed as a single body of unitary construction.

At least one conduit 102 is positioned within interior 108 of the waterheater housing 104. At least one conduit 102 may extend for a distancebetween the top portion 110 and the bottom portion 112 of housing 104.The distance may extend for up to the length between the top portion 110and the bottom portion 112. In an exemplary embodiment, at least oneconduit 102 has a fixable conduit section 114 and a movable conduitsection 116. The fixable conduit section 114 and the movable conduitsection 116 may comprise the same material. In a non-limiting example,the fixable conduit section 114 and the movable conduit section 116comprise copper tubing or pipes.

The movable conduit section 116 is movable relative to the fixableconduit section 114, such that the movable conduit section 116 can beoriented or reoriented for alignment with an opening 118 in theupwardly-facing surface 110 a of the housing 104, such that the waterheating appliance 100 can be configured or reconfigured for connectionto an external conduit 122 located above the water heating appliance100. Additionally or optionally, the movable conduit section 116 ismovable relative to the fixable conduit section 114, such that themovable conduit section 116 can be oriented or reoriented for alignmentwith an opening 120 in the downwardly-facing surface 112 a of thehousing 104, such that the water heating appliance 100 can be configuredor reconfigured for connection to the external conduit 124 located belowthe water heating appliance 100.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D and 2A-2B, the waterheating appliance 100 can be configured or reconfigured for connectionto the external conduits 122, 124 located above or below the waterheating appliance 100 based on an interface between the movable conduitsection 116, fixable conduit section 114, and the joint 106.Specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the movable conduit section116 is configured to be coupled to the fixable conduit section 114 atthe joint 106. The joint 106 is configured to permit rotation of themovable conduit section 116 about an axis 132 of the joint 106 while themovable conduit section 116 is coupled to the fixable conduit section114. Thus, the joint 106 permits rotation of the movable conduit section116, such that an end portion of the movable conduit section 116 ispositionable for alignment with the opening 118 in the upwardly-facingsurface 110 a of the housing 104. Additionally or optionally, an endportion of the movable conduit section 116 is positionable for alignmentwith the opening 120 in the downwardly-facing surface 112 a of thehousing 104.

In another embodiment, the water heating appliance 100 can beadditionally or optionally configured or reconfigured for connection toone or more external conduits (not shown) located adjacent one or moreof the side walls (or side-facing surface) of the water heatingappliance 100, based on an interface between the movable conduit section116, fixable conduit section 114, and the joint 106. Specifically, themovable conduit section 116 is configured to be coupled to the fixableconduit section 114 at the joint 106. The joint 106 is configured topermit rotation of the movable conduit section 116 about an axis 132 ofthe joint 106 while the movable conduit section 116 is coupled to thefixable conduit section 114. Thus, the joint 106 permits rotation of themovable conduit section 116, such that an end portion of the movableconduit section 116 is positionable for alignment with a respectiveopening of one or more of the side walls. In other words, the endportion of the movable conduit section 116 of at least one conduit 102may be rotated for up to 360 degrees, such that the end portion of themovable conduit section 116 of at least one conduit 102 may be alignedwith the opening of one or more of the side walls (or side-facingsurface) of the housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, when the waterheating appliance 100 comprises plural conduits, each having a movableconduit section 116, then the movable conduit section 116 of a firstconduit positioned within the interior of the housing 104 can beoriented or reoriented for alignment with a first opening in the atleast one side wall of the housing 104, and another movable conduitsection 116 of a second conduit positioned within the interior of thehousing 104 can be oriented or reoriented for alignment with a secondopening in the at least one side wall of the housing 104, such that thewater heater appliance 100 can be configured for connection to externalconduits located adjacent the at least one side wall of the housing 104of the water heater appliance 100. The at least one side wall maycomprise a first side wall and a second side wall, and the first openingis in the first side wall and the second opening is in the second sidewall. Additionally or optionally, the first opening and the secondopening are both in the first side wall or the second side wall. Oneskilled in the art would understand that additional joints 106, movableconduit section 116, or like structures may be employed to facilitatealignment or connection of the end portion of the movable conduitsection 116 to the desired opening(s).

In still another embodiment, the water heating appliance 100 can beadditionally or optionally configured or reconfigured for connection toone or more flexible conduits internally located within the waterheating appliance 100, based on an interface between the movable conduitsection 116, fixable conduit section 114, and the joint 106.Specifically, the movable conduit section 116 is configured to becoupled to the fixable conduit section 114 at the joint 106. The joint106 is configured to permit rotation of the movable conduit section 116about an axis 132 of the joint 106 while the movable conduit section 116is coupled to the fixable conduit section 114. Thus, the joint 106permits rotation of the movable conduit section 116, such that an endportion of the movable conduit section 116 is positionable for alignmentwith a respective opening of one or more of the flexible internalconduits (e.g. flexible internal water lines). In other words, the endportion of the movable conduit section 116 of at least one conduit 102may be rotated for up to 360 degrees, such that the end portion of themovable conduit section 116 of at least one conduit 102 may be alignedwith a respective opening of one or more flexible conduits internallylocated within the water heating appliance 100. One skilled in the artwould understand that additional joints 106, movable conduit section116, or like structures may be employed to facilitate alignment orconnection of the end portion of the movable conduit section 116 to thedesired opening(s).

In an exemplary embodiment, water heating appliance 100 comprises pluralconduits 102 positioned within the interior 108 of the housing 104. Asdiscussed above, each of the conduits 102 has fixable conduit section114 and movable conduit section 116. Movable conduit section 116 iscoupled to the fixable conduit section 114 at joint 106. The movableconduit section 116 is movable relative to the fixable conduit section114, such that the movable conduit section 116 can be oriented orreoriented for alignment with opening 118 in the upwardly-facing surface110 a of the housing 104, or can be oriented or reoriented for alignmentwith opening 120 in the downwardly-facing surface 112 a of the housing104, such that the water heating appliance 100 can be configured orreconfigured for connection to external conduits 122, 124 located aboveor below the water heating appliance 100.

In one non-limiting example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1C, theplural conduits 102 may be positioned within the interior 108 of thehousing, such that a pair of conduits 102 have respective movableconduit sections 116 and fixable conduit sections 114. Namely, therespective movable conduit sections 116 are movable relative to therespective fixable conduit sections 114, as facilitated by respectivejoint 106, such that respective movable conduit sections 116 can each beoriented or reoriented for alignment with respective openings 120 in thedownwardly-facing surface 112 a of the housing 104. In this way, thewater heating appliance 100 can be configured or reconfigured forconnection to respective external conduits 124 located below the waterheating appliance 100. Additionally or optionally, one or more plugs 128may be configured to cover the opening(s) 118 in the upwardly-facingsurface 110 a of the housing 104.

Similarly, in another non-limiting example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1Band 1D, the plural conduits 102 may be positioned within the interior108 of the housing, such that a pair of conduits 102 have respectivemovable conduit sections 116 and fixable conduit sections 114. Namely,the respective movable conduit sections 116 are movable relative to therespective fixable conduit sections 114, as facilitated by respectivejoint 106, such that respective movable conduit sections 116 can each beoriented or reoriented for alignment with respective openings 118 in theupwardly-facing surface 110 a of the housing 104. In this way, the waterheating appliance 100 can be configured or reconfigured for connectionto respective external conduits 122 located above the water heatingappliance 100. Additionally or optionally, one or more plugs 128 may beconfigured to cover the opening(s) 120 in the downwardly-facing surface112 a of the housing 104.

Additionally or optionally, the plural conduits 102 may be positionedwithin the interior 108 of the housing, such that a pair of conduits 102have respective movable conduit sections 116 and fixable conduitsections 114. Namely, the respective movable conduit sections 116 aremovable relative to the respective fixable conduit sections 114, asfacilitated by respective joint 106, such that respective movableconduit sections 116 can each be oriented or reoriented for alignmentwith respective openings in one or more of the side-facing surfaces ofthe housing 104. In this way, the water heating appliance 100 can beconfigured or reconfigured for connection to respective externalconduits located adjacent one or more of the side walls of the waterheating appliance 100. Additionally or optionally, one or more plugs 128may be configured to cover the opening(s) in the side-facing surface ofthe housing 104.

Further, in yet another non-limiting example, the plural conduits 102may be positioned within the interior 108 of the housing, such that apair of conduits 102 have respective movable conduit sections 116 andfixable conduit sections 114. Namely, the respective movable conduitsections 116 are movable relative to the respective fixable conduitsections 114, as facilitated by respective joint 106, such that one ofthe movable conduit sections 116 can be oriented or reoriented foralignment with opening 118 in the upwardly-facing surface 110 a of thehousing 104, and another of the movable conduit sections 116 can beoriented or reoriented for alignment with opening 120 in thedownwardly-facing surface 112 a of the housing 104. In this way, thewater heating appliance 100 can be configured or reconfigured forconnection to respective external conduits 122, 124 located above orbelow the water heating appliance 100. Additionally or optionally, oneor more plugs 128 (FIG. 1A) may be configured to cover the openings 118in the upwardly-facing surface 110 a of the housing 104 and opening 120in the downwardly-facing surface 112 a of the housing 104.

Still further, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5C, when the movableconduit sections 116 are oriented or reoriented for alignment with oneof the openings of housing 104, such as opening 118 in theupwardly-facing surface 110 a of the housing 104 or opening 120 in thedownwardly-facing surface 112 a of the housing 104, connection to one ormore external conduits is facilitated by an exemplary panel mount flange200. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, panel mount flange 200 includes agenerally hollow and cylindrical body having a first portion and asecond portion opposite the first portion. The first portion includesaperture 208 and the second portion includes a threaded surface 206.Extending radially from the hollow and cylindrical body of the panelmount flange 200 are a plurality of projections, the plurality ofprojections including a generally flat or planar surface 202. Surface202 is configured to be in contact with a portion of the housing (asshown in FIG. 5A), such as the upwardly facing surface 110 a,downwardly-facing surface 112 a, or at least one of the side walls orside-facing surface of housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, surface202 is positioned flush against the portion of the housing. In this way,one or more holes defined on surface 202 may receive known fasteningmeans, including but not limited to screws, for securing the panel mountflange 200 to the housing 104.

Specifically, the exemplary interface between the panel mount flange 200and the portion of the housing (e.g. upwardly face surface 110 a, etc.)is configured for connection of one or more conduits internally locatedwithin the water heating appliance 100 to one or more external conduitslocated above, below, or adjacent the water heating appliance 100. Asshown in FIGS. 5A-5C, surface 202 of panel mount flange 200 is securedto a portion of the housing, such that second portion having threadedsurface 206 is located externally relative to the water heatingappliance 100. The threaded surface 206 may facilitate connection to theone or more external conduits. Conversely, the first portion havingaperture 208 is located internally within the water heating appliance100, such that aperture 208 is configured to receive a portion of atleast one conduit 102. Additionally or optionally, an attachmentmechanism known to one skilled in the art (e.g. a clip) may be used tosecure the connection between aperture 208 or panel mount flange 200 andat least one conduit 102.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , joint 106 facilitates movement of movableconduit section 116 relative to the fixable conduit section 114. Inparticular, the joint 106 is configured to permit rotation of themovable conduit section 116 about an axis 132 of the joint 106 while themovable conduit section 116 is coupled to the fixable conduit section114. In an exemplary embodiment, joint 106 is configured for couplingsections of conduit 102 within the interior 108 of water heatingappliance 100. The joint 106 may extend for a length between opposedends, with one of the opposed ends extending along a first axis and theother one of the opposed ends extending along a second axis that isdifferent from the first axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the joint 106extends between opposed ends. One of the opposed ends extends along thefirst axis. The other one of the opposed ends includes a first branchextending along the second axis and a second branch extending oppositethe first branch and along the second axis. Additionally or optionally,the other one of the opposed ends includes a third branch extendingalong the first axis. Further, the third branch extends from a positionbetween the first branch and the second branch. In particular, thesecond axis may be perpendicular to the first axis.

The joint 106 includes a connector 130 for coupling the sections ofconduit 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector 130 may extendfor a length between opposed ends, with one of the opposed endsextending along a first axis and the other one of the opposed endsextending along a second axis that is different from the first axis. Inan exemplary embodiment, the connector 130 extends between opposed ends.One of the opposed ends extends along the first axis. The other one ofthe opposed ends includes a first branch extending along the second axisand a second branch extending opposite the first branch and along thesecond axis. Additionally or optionally, the other one of the opposedends includes a third branch extending along the first axis. Further,the third branch extends from a position between the first branch andthe second branch. In particular, the second axis may be perpendicularto the first axis. Additionally or optionally, the connector 130 isrotatable along an axis of rotation, e.g., along axis 132. In anon-limiting example, the connector 130 couples the movable conduitsection 116 to the fixable conduit section 114 of conduit 102. As shownin FIG. 2 , the connector 30 defines axis 132 about which at least oneof the sections of conduit 102 can be rotated at least 180 degrees, suchthat an end portion of the at least one section of conduit 102 isadjacent the opening 118 in the upwardly-facing surface 110 a of thehousing 104 and the downwardly-facing surface 112 a of the housing 104.In a non-limiting example, the movable conduit section 116 is rotated atleast 180 degrees about axis 132, such that an end portion of themovable conduit section 116 is adjacent the opening 118 in theupwardly-facing surface 110 a of the housing 104 or thedownwardly-facing surface of the housing 104. In another non-limitingexample, the movable conduit section 116 is rotated for up to 180degrees about axis 132, such that an end portion of the movable conduitsection 116 is adjacent the opening in one or more of the side-facingsurfaces of the housing 104. In yet another non-limiting example, themovable conduit section 116 is positionable for alignment with theopening in the at least one side wall of the housing 104. In stillanother non-limiting example, the movable conduit section 116 ispositionable for alignment with an opening of one or more conduitslocated within the housing 104 of the water heater appliance 100.

Further, joint 106 comprises a clip 134 configured to couple theconnector 130 to at least one of the fixable conduit section 114 and themovable conduit section 116. One skilled in the art would understandthat various coupling or attachment means may be additionally oroptionally used to couple connector 130 to another component of waterheater appliance 100, including, but not limited to, threaded fittings,compression fittings, national pipe tapered (NPT) threads, and gasketedflexible conduits. In so doing, the clip 134 is configured to restrictmovement of the connector 130 relative to the fixable conduit section orthe movable conduit section 116 after the movable conduit section 116 isoriented or reoriented, as desired. Additionally or optionally, clip 134is configured to couple movable conduit section 116 to the fixableconduit section 114, thereby restricting movement of the joint 106 afterthe movable conduit section 116 is oriented or reoriented, as desired.Still further, joint 106 comprises a gasket 136 for restricting movementof the connector 130 relative to the fixable conduit section 114 or themovable conduit section 116.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a method 1000 of configuring or reconfiguringa water heater appliance for connection to one or more external conduitslocated above or below the water heater appliance is provided. Themethod 1000 includes one or more steps including positioning the waterheater appliance relative to one or more external conduits located aboveor below the water heater appliance; checking the orientation of amovable conduit section of the water heater appliance coupled at a jointto a fixable conduit section of the appliance; orienting or reorientingthe movable conduit section relative to the fixable conduit sectionabout a joint between the movable conduit section and the fixableconduit section; and securing the movable conduit section forconnection. Additional details of method 1000 are set forth below withrespect to the elements of water heating appliance 100.

In a first step 1100, a water heater appliance is positioned relative toone or more external conduits located above or below the water heaterappliance. In an example, water heating appliance 100 is positionedrelative one or more external conduits 122, 124 above or below the waterheating appliance 100.

In a second step 1200, the orientation of a movable conduit section ofthe water heater appliance coupled at a joint to a fixable conduitsection of the appliance is checked. In an example, the orientation ofmovable conduit section 116 of water heating appliance 100, which iscoupled at a joint 106 to fixable conduit section 114 of water heatingappliance 100 is checked.

In a third step 1300, the movable conduit section is oriented orreoriented relative to the fixable conduit section about a joint betweenthe movable conduit section and the fixable conduit section.

In an example, if the movable conduit section 116 of the water heatingappliance 100 is oriented toward opening 118 in the upwardly-facingsurface 110 a of housing 104 of the water heating appliance 100 and theone or more external conduits 124 is located below the water heatingappliance 100, the movable conduit section 116 is reoriented relative tothe fixable conduit section 114 about joint 106 between the movableconduit section 116 and the fixable conduit section 114, until themovable conduit section 116 of the water heating appliance 100 isoriented toward the opening 120 in the downwardly-facing surface 112 aof the housing 104 of the water heating appliance 100. Additionally oroptionally, the movable conduit section 116 is reoriented relative tothe fixable conduit section 114 by rotating the movable conduit section116 for at least 180 degrees.

In another example, if the movable conduit section 116 of the waterheating appliance 100 is oriented toward the opening 120 in thedownwardly-facing surface 112 a of the housing 104 of the water heatingappliance 100 and the one or more external conduits 122 is located abovethe water heating appliance 100, the movable conduit section 116 isreoriented relative to the fixable conduit section 114 about the joint106 between the movable conduit section 116 and the fixable conduitsection 114, until the movable conduit section 116 of the water heatingappliance 100 is oriented toward the opening 118 in the upwardly-facingsurface 110 a of the housing 104 of the water heating appliance 100.Additionally or optionally, the movable conduit section 116 isreoriented relative to the fixable conduit section 114 by rotating themovable conduit section 116 for at least 180 degrees.

In yet another example, if the movable conduit section 116 of the waterheater appliance 100 is oriented toward the opening 118 in theupwardly-facing surface 110 a of the housing 104 of the water heaterappliance 100 or the opening 120 in the downwardly-facing surface 112 aof the housing 104 of the water heater appliance 100 and the one or moreexternal conduits is located adjacent one or more of side walls of thewater heater appliance 100, reorienting the movable conduit section 116relative to the fixable conduit section 114 about the joint 106 betweenthe movable conduit section 116 and the fixable conduit section 114until the movable conduit section 116 of the water heater appliance 100is oriented toward the opening in the side-facing surface of the housing104 of the water heater appliance 100.

In yet another example, if the movable conduit section 116 of the waterheater appliance 100 is oriented toward the opening 118 in theupwardly-facing surface 110 a of the housing 104 of the water heaterappliance 100, or the opening 120 in the downwardly-facing surface 112 aof the housing 104 of the water heater appliance 100, or the opening ofone or more external conduits located adjacent a side wall of thehousing of the water heater appliance, and the one or more conduits islocated internally within water heater appliance 100, then the movableconduit section 116 may be reoriented relative to the fixable conduitsection 114 about the joint 106 between the movable conduit section 116and the fixable conduit section 114 until the movable conduit section116 of the water heater appliance 100 is oriented toward the opening ofthe one or more conduits located within the water heater appliance 100.

In a fourth step 1400, the movable conduit section is secured forconnection. In an example, clip 134 is configured to couple movableconduit section 116 to the fixable conduit section 114, therebyrestricting movement of the joint 106. The clip 134 may restrictmovement of the joint 106 after the movable conduit section 116 isoriented or reoriented, as desired, in step 1300.

FIG. 3 depicts an example method comprising steps that are performedsequentially in the order recited. However, it should be understood fromthe description herein that one or more steps may be omitted and/orperformed out of the described sequence of the process while stillachieving the desired result.

Referring now to 6A-6C an exemplary embodiment of water heatingappliance, such as water heating appliance 2000, is similar to the waterheating appliance 100 described above. Specifically, water heatingappliance 2000 is configured to be connected to an external conduit thatmay be oriented in one of plural optional orientations. The waterheating appliance 2000 comprises a housing, such as housing 104, whichat least partially defines an interior, such as interior 108, andincludes plural surface portions. The water heating appliance 2000comprises an internal conduit, such as at least internal conduit 102,that extends within the interior 108 of the housing 104.

The internal conduit 102 includes a fixed conduit section, such asfixable conduit section 114, that is fixed in position relative to thehousing 104. The fixable conduit section 114 is rigid in this embodimentbut may be flexible.

The internal conduit further comprises a movable conduit section, suchas movable conduit section 116. The fixable conduit section 114 is rigidin this embodiment but may be flexible.

In a non-limiting example, the movable conduit section 116 is coupled tothe fixed conduit section 114 for movement relative to the fixed conduitsection 114 and for movement relative to the housing 104. Further, themovable conduit section 116 includes a proximal end 2200 coupled to thefixed conduit section 114 and a distal end 2100 configured to be coupledto the external conduit. In particular, the movable conduit section 116is movable relative to the fixed conduit section 114 and relative to thehousing 104, such that the distal end 2100 of the movable conduitsection 116 can be selectively oriented or reoriented for alignment witheach of the surface portions of the housing 104, such as upwardly-facingsurface 110 a (FIG. 6A) or downwardly-facing surface 112 a (FIG. 6C).

Thus, the distal end 2100 of the movable conduit section 116 is movableinto alignment with one of the surface portions of the housing thatcorresponds to one of the optional orientations of the external conduit,e.g. alignment with upwardly-facing surface 110 a (FIG. 6A) when theexternal conduit is located above the water heating appliance 2000. Thedistal end 2100 of the movable conduit section 116 is additionallymovable into alignment with another one of the surface portions of thehousing that corresponds to another one of the optional orientations ofthe external conduit, e.g. alignment with downwardly-facing surface 112a (FIG. 6C) when the external conduit is located below the water heatingappliance 2000.

Still further, the distal end 2100 of the movable conduit section 116 ismovable into alignment with the one or the another one of the surfaceportions of the housing for coupling with the external conduit when theexternal conduit is oriented in the one or the another one of theoptional orientations of the external conduit, respectively. Forexample, when the distal end 2100 of the movable conduit section 116 isoriented in alignment with downwardly-facing surface 112 a, the distalend 2100 of the movable conduit section 116 is re-oriented in alignmentwith the upwardly-facing surface 110 a when the external conduit islocated above the water heating appliance 2000 (FIG. 6B). Conversely,when the distal end 2100 of the movable conduit section 116 is orientedin alignment with upwardly-facing surface 110 a, the distal end 2100 ofthe movable conduit section 116 is re-oriented in alignment with thedownwardly-facing surface 112 a when the external conduit is locatedbelow the water heating appliance 2000 (FIG. 6C).

Additionally or optionally, the movable conduit section 116 bridges adistance between the fixed conduit section 114 and the surface portionsof the housing 104 (e.g. upwardly-facing surface 110 a ordownwardly-facing surface 112 a). The distance between the fixed conduitsection 114 and one of the surface portions of the housing 104 (e.g.upwardly-facing surface 110 a) may correspond to the distance betweenthe fixed conduit section 114 and another one of the surface portions ofthe housing 104 (e.g. downwardly-facing surface 112 a). In thisconfiguration, the distal end 2100 of the movable conduit section 116 isselectively positionable adjacent the one of the surface portions or theanother one of the surface portions (e.g. upwardly-facing surface 110 aor downwardly-facing surface 112 a). Further, a length of the movableconduit section 116 may correspond to the distance between the fixedconduit section 114 and the surface portions of the housing 104 (e.g.upwardly-facing surface 110 a or downwardly-facing surface 112 a).

Still further, as best shown in FIG. 6A, an exemplary range of movementof the moveable conduit section comprises the distal end 2100 of themovable conduit section 116 being movable along an arcuate path (arrowsin FIG. 6A). As the distal end of the movable conduit section 116 movesalong the arcuate path, one skilled in the art would understand that thesurface portions of the housing 104 (e.g. upwardly-facing surface 110,downwardly-facing surface 112, side walls or side-facing surfaces, or acombination thereof) are positioned at locations associated with thearcuate path. In particular, the movable conduit section 116 is movablewithin a plane of movement.

In some embodiments, the movable conduit section is moved from oneposition to another position while remaining coupled to the fixedconduit section. For example, the movable conduit section can rotateabout an axis relative to the fixed conduit section without completelydecoupling the movable conduit section from the fixed conduit section.Alternatively, in some embodiments the movable conduit section is movedfrom one position to another position by decoupling it from the fixedconduit section, repositioning the movable conduit section, and thenrecoupling it to the fixed conduit section in a new orientation. Forexample, the movable conduit section can be repositioned by decouplingthe movable conduit section from the fixed conduit section.

To accommodate at least some of this movement, the interior 108 of thehousing 104 includes a clearance space along the plane of movement ofthe movable conduit section 116. As best shown in FIGS. 6B-6C, theclearance space is configured to accommodate movement of the movableconduit section 116 within the plane of movement. In a non-limitingexample, the space accommodating movement of the movable conduit section116 within the plane of movement may extend between the surface portionsof the housing 104 (e.g. upwardly-facing surface 110, downwardly-facingsurface 112, side walls or side-facing surfaces, or a combinationthereof).

Further, the space accommodating movement of the movable conduit section116 may have a depth exceeding a thickness of the movable conduitsection 116. Still further, the optional orientations of the externalconduit may include orientations extending to elevations above or belowthe water heater appliance 2000. In this way, when the surface portionsof the housing 104 comprise top and bottom elevations of the housing104, the water heater appliance 2000 can be connected when the externalconduit is located at elevations above or below the water heaterappliance 2000. In another non-limiting example, the optionalorientations of the external conduit may include orientations extendinglaterally relative to the water heater appliance 2000. In thisconfiguration, the surface portions of the housing 104 comprise lateralsides of the housing 104 (e.g. side walls or side-facing surfaces), suchthat the water heater appliance 2000 can be connected when the externalconduit is located at a lateral side of the water heater appliance 2000.

If a space is provided for movable conduit section in variousorientations, that space can accommodate a partial or full range oforientations of the movable conduit section. Also, or alternatively, thespace may be a single area or various areas positioned and sized toprovide clearance along one or more paths for the movable conduitsection to extend between the end of the fixed conduit section and thevarious surface portions of the housing to which the movable conduitsection may extend.

To facilitate the connection of the external conduit to the housing 104,the surface portions of the housing (e.g. upwardly-facing surface 110,downwardly-facing surface 112, side walls or side-facing surfaces, or acombination thereof) are configured to define an aperture for flowbetween the internal conduit 102 and the external conduit when the waterheater appliance 2000 is connected to the external conduit.

Additionally or optionally, the clearance space is configured toaccommodate rotation of a joint having a connector, such as connector130, or rotation of the connector 130, such that the connector 130 maybe removable relatively to the interior 108 of the housing 104 and thenre-inserted in a proper or appropriate orientation for accommodating theplane of movement of the movable conduit section 116. Alternatively, themovable conduit section 116 may be directly connected to the fixedconduit section 114. In another non-limiting example, the movableconduit section 116 is pivotally connected to the fixed conduit section114. In this way, the movable conduit section 116 is rotatable relativeto the fixed conduit section 114 about an axis (such as axis 132) of thefixed conduit section 114.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein withreference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to belimited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be madein the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims,and any combination of any features of any of the embodiments herein maybe made, without departing from the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A water heater appliance comprising: a housing atleast partially defining an interior, the housing having at least oneside wall, a top portion with an upwardly-facing surface and a bottomportion with a downwardly-facing surface; at least one conduitpositioned within the interior of the housing, the at least one conduithaving a fixable conduit section and a movable conduit section coupledat a joint to the fixable conduit section; the movable conduit sectionbeing movable relative to the fixable conduit section such that themovable conduit section can be oriented or reoriented for alignment withan opening in the upwardly-facing surface of the housing, or can beoriented or reoriented for alignment with an opening in thedownwardly-facing surface of the housing, such that the water heaterappliance can be configured for connection to an external conduitlocated above or below the water heater appliance, or can be oriented orreoriented for alignment with an opening in the at least one side wallof the housing, such that the water heater appliance can be configuredfor connection to an external conduit located adjacent to the at leastone side wall of the housing of the water heater appliance; wherein thejoint is configured to permit rotation of the movable conduit sectionabout an axis of the joint while remaining coupled to the fixableconduit section.
 2. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein anend portion of the movable conduit section is positionable for alignmentwith the opening in the upwardly-facing surface of the housing.
 3. Thewater heater appliance of claim 1, wherein an end portion of the movableconduit section is positionable for alignment with the opening in thedownwardly-facing surface of the housing.
 4. The water heater applianceof claim 1, wherein an end portion of the movable conduit section ispositionable for alignment with the opening in the at least one sidewall of the housing.
 5. The water heater appliance of claim 1, whereinan end portion of the movable conduit section is positionable foralignment with an opening of one or more conduits located within thehousing of the water heater appliance.
 6. The water heater appliance ofclaim 1, comprising plural conduits positioned within the interior ofthe housing, each of the conduits having a fixable conduit section and amovable conduit section coupled at a joint to the fixable conduitsection, the movable conduit section being movable relative to thefixable conduit section such that the movable conduit section can beoriented or reoriented for alignment with the opening in theupwardly-facing surface of the housing, or can be oriented or reorientedfor alignment with the opening in the downwardly-facing surface of thehousing, such that the water heater appliance can be configured orreconfigured for connection to external conduits located above or belowthe water heater appliance.
 7. The water heater appliance of claim 6,wherein a movable conduit section of a first conduit positioned withinthe interior of the housing can be oriented or reoriented for alignmentwith a first opening in the at least one side wall of the housing, andanother movable conduit section of a second conduit positioned withinthe interior of the housing can be oriented or reoriented for alignmentwith a second opening in the at least one side wall of the housing, suchthat the water heater appliance can be configured for connection toexternal conduits located adjacent the at least one side wall of thehousing of the water heater appliance.
 8. The water heater appliance ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one side wall comprises a first side walland a second side wall, and the first opening is in the first side walland the second opening is in the second side wall.
 9. The water heaterappliance of claim 7, wherein the at least one side wall comprises afirst side wall, and the first opening and the second opening are bothin the first side wall or the second side wall.
 10. The water heaterappliance of claim 1, the joint comprising a connector rotatable aboutan axis of rotation.
 11. The water heater appliance of claim 10, thejoint further comprising a clip configured to couple the movable conduitsection to the fixable conduit section, thereby restricting movement ofthe joint after the movable conduit section is oriented or reoriented.12. The water heater appliance of claim 11, the joint further comprisinga gasket.
 13. The water heater appliance of claim 5, wherein the jointextends for a length between opposed ends, one of the opposed endsextending along a first axis and the other one of the opposed endsextending along a second axis that is different from the first axis. 14.The water heater appliance of claim 13, wherein the joint extendsbetween opposed ends, one of the opposed ends extending along a firstaxis and the other one of the opposed ends comprising a first branchextending along a second axis that is different from the first axis anda second branch opposite the first branch, the second branch extendingalong the second axis.
 15. The water heating appliance of claim 14,further comprising a third branch extending along the first axis, thethird branch extending from a position between the first branch and thesecond branch.
 16. The water heater appliance of claim 13, wherein thesecond axis is perpendicular to the first axis.
 17. The water heaterappliance of claim 1, further comprising a plug configured to cover theopening in the upwardly-facing surface of the housing or the opening inthe downwardly-facing surface of the housing.
 18. A joint for couplingsections of conduit within an interior of a water heater appliance, thesections of conduit being configured to be disposed within an interiorof a housing having a top portion with an upwardly-facing surface and abottom portion with a downwardly-facing surface, the joint comprising: aconnector for coupling the sections of conduit, the connector having anaxis about which at least one of the sections of conduit can be rotatedat least 180 degrees, such that an end portion of the at least onesection of conduit is adjacent the opening in the upwardly-facingsurface of the housing or the downwardly-facing surface of the housing;and a clip configured to couple the connector to at least one of thesections of conduit, thereby restricting movement of the connectorrelative to at least one of the sections of conduit.
 19. The joint ofclaim 18, wherein the connector extends for a length between a firstconnector end and a second connector end, the first connector endextending along a first axis and the second connector end extendingalong a second axis that is different from the first axis.
 20. The jointof claim 18, wherein the connector extends between a first connector endand a second connector end, the first connector end extending along afirst axis and the second connector end comprises a first branchextending along a second axis that is different from the first axis anda second branch opposite the first branch, the second branch extendingalong the second axis.
 21. The joint of claim 14, further comprising athird branch extending along the first axis, the third branch extendingfrom a position between the first branch and the second branch.
 22. Thejoint of claim 19, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the firstaxis.
 23. The joint of claim 18, further comprising a gasket forrestricting movement of the connector relative to at least one of thesections of conduit.
 24. A method of configuring or reconfiguring awater heater appliance for connection to one or more conduits locatedadjacent the water heater appliance, the method comprising; positioningthe water heater appliance relative to one or more conduits locatedadjacent the water heater appliance; checking the orientation of amovable conduit section of the water heater appliance coupled at a jointto a fixable conduit section of the appliance; if the movable conduitsection of the water heater appliance is oriented toward an opening inan upwardly-facing surface of a housing of the water heater applianceand the one or more external conduits is located below the water heaterappliance, reorienting the movable conduit section relative to thefixable conduit section about a joint between the movable conduitsection and the fixable conduit section until the movable conduitsection of the water heater appliance is oriented toward an opening in adownwardly-facing surface of the housing of the water heater appliance;if the movable conduit section of the water heater appliance is orientedtoward an opening in a downwardly-facing surface of the housing of thewater heater appliance and the one or more external conduits is locatedabove the water heater appliance, reorienting the movable conduitsection relative to the fixable conduit section about the joint betweenthe movable conduit section and the fixable conduit section until themovable conduit section of the water heater appliance is oriented towardthe opening in the upwardly-facing surface of the housing of the waterheater appliance; and securing the movable conduit section forconnection.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: if themovable conduit section of the water heater appliance is oriented towardthe opening in the upwardly-facing surface of the housing of the waterheater appliance or the opening in the downwardly-facing surface of thehousing of the water heater appliance and the one or more externalconduits is located adjacent a side wall of the housing of the waterheater appliance, reorienting the movable conduit section relative tothe fixable conduit section about the joint between the movable conduitsection and the fixable conduit section until the movable conduitsection of the water heater appliance is oriented toward the side wallof the housing of the water heater appliance.
 26. The method of claim24, further comprising: if the movable conduit section of the waterheater appliance is oriented toward the opening in the upwardly-facingsurface of the housing of the water heater appliance or the opening inthe downwardly-facing surface of the housing of the water heaterappliance or the opening of one or more external conduits locatedadjacent a side wall of the housing of the water heater appliance,reorienting the movable conduit section relative to the fixable conduitsection about the joint between the movable conduit section and thefixable conduit section until the movable conduit section of the waterheater appliance is oriented toward the one or more internal conduitslocated within the housing of the water heater appliance until themovable conduit section of the water heater appliance is oriented towardthe opening of one or more internal conduits of the housing of the waterheater appliance.
 27. A water heater appliance comprising: a housing atleast partially defining an interior, the housing having a plurality ofside walls, each side wall having a respective side-facing surface; atleast one conduit positioned within the interior of the housing, the atleast one conduit having a fixable conduit section and a movable conduitsection coupled at a first joint to the fixable conduit section; themovable conduit section being movable relative to the fixable conduitsection such that an end portion of the movable conduit section can beoriented or reoriented for alignment with an opening in one of the sidewalls, such that the water heater appliance can be configured forconnection to an external conduit located adjacent one of the side wallsof the water heater appliance; wherein the first joint is configured topermit rotation of the movable conduit section about an axis of thefirst joint while remaining coupled to the fixable conduit section. 28.The water heater appliance of claim 27, wherein another end portion ofthe movable conduit section is coupled at a second joint to anotherfixable conduit section or another movable conduit section, the anotherend portion being positionable for alignment with the external conduitlocated adjacent one of the side walls of the water heater appliance.29. The water heater appliance of claim 27, wherein the movable conduitsection extends for a length between the end portion and another endportion, the first end portion extending along a first axis and theanother end portion extending along a second axis that is different fromthe first axis.
 30. The water heater appliance of claim 29, wherein thefirst joint and the second joint each extends between opposed ends, oneof the opposed ends extending along the first axis and the other one ofthe opposed ends comprising a first branch extending along the secondaxis that is different from the first axis and a second branch oppositethe first branch, the second branch extending along the second axis. 31.The water heating appliance of claim 30, further comprising a thirdbranch extending along the first axis, the third branch extending from aposition between the first branch and the second branch.
 32. The waterheater appliance of claim 29, wherein the second axis is perpendicularto the first axis.
 33. A water heater appliance configured to beconnected to an external conduit that may be oriented in one of pluraloptional orientations, the water heater appliance comprising: a housingat least partially defining an interior and having plural surfaceportions; an internal conduit extending within the interior of thehousing, the internal conduit having a fixed conduit section that isfixed in position relative to the housing, the internal conduit alsohaving a movable conduit section that is coupled to the fixed conduitsection for movement relative to the fixed conduit section and formovement relative to the housing; the movable conduit section having aproximal end coupled to the fixed conduit section and a distal endconfigured to be coupled to the external conduit; the movable conduitsection being movable relative to the fixed conduit section and relativeto the housing such that the distal end of the movable conduit sectioncan be selectively oriented or reoriented for alignment with each of thesurface portions of the housing; the distal end of the movable conduitsection being movable into alignment with one of the surface portions ofthe housing that corresponds to one of the optional orientations of theexternal conduit; and the distal end of the movable conduit section alsobeing movable into alignment with another one of the surface portions ofthe housing that corresponds to another one of the optional orientationsof the external conduit; the distal end of the movable conduit sectionbeing movable into alignment with the one or the another one of thesurface portions of the housing for coupling with the external conduitwhen the external conduit is oriented in the one or the another one ofthe optional orientations of the external conduit, respectively.
 34. Thewater heater appliance of claim 33, the movable conduit section bridginga distance between the fixed conduit section and the surface portions ofthe housing, the distance between the fixed conduit section and one ofthe surface portions of the housing corresponding to the distancebetween the fixed conduit section and another one of the surfaceportions of the housing, such that distal end of the movable conduitsection is selectively positionable adjacent the one of the surfaceportions or the another one of the surface portions.
 35. The waterheater appliance of claim 34, the length of the movable conduit sectioncorresponding to the distance between the fixed conduit section and thesurface portions of the housing.
 36. The water heater appliance of claim33, the distal end of the movable conduit section being movable along anarcuate path and the surface portions of the housing being positioned atlocations associated with the arcuate path.
 37. The water heaterappliance of claim 33, the movable conduit section being movable withina plane of movement, and the interior of the housing including a spacealong the plane of movement of the movable conduit section, the spacebeing clear to accommodate movement of the movable conduit sectionwithin the plane of movement.
 38. The water heater appliance of claim37, the space accommodating movement of the movable conduit sectionwithin the plane of movement extending between the surface portions ofthe housing.
 39. The water heater appliance of claim 37, the spaceaccommodating movement of the movable conduit section having a depthexceeding a thickness of the movable conduit section.
 40. The waterheater appliance of claim 33, the optional orientations of the externalconduit including orientations extending to elevations above or belowthe water heater appliance.
 41. The water heater appliance of claim 40,the surface portions of the housing being at top and bottom elevationsof the housing, such that the water heater appliance can be connectedwhen the external conduit is located at elevations above or below thewater heater appliance.
 42. The water heater appliance of claim 33, theoptional orientations of the external conduit including orientationsextending laterally relative to the water heater appliance.
 43. Thewater heater appliance of claim 42, the surface portions of the housingbeing at lateral sides of the housing, such that the water heaterappliance can be connected when the external conduit is located at alateral side of the water heater appliance.
 44. The water heaterappliance of claim 33, each of the surface portions of the housing beingconfigured to define an aperture for flow between the internal conduitand the external conduit when the water heater appliance is connected tothe external conduit.
 45. The water heater appliance of claim 33, themovable conduit section being directly connected to the fixed conduitsection.
 46. The water heater appliance of claim 33, the movable conduitsection being pivotally connected to the fixed conduit section.
 47. Thewater heater appliance of claim 46, the movable conduit section beingrotatable relative to the fixed conduit section about an axis of thefixed conduit section.
 48. The water heater appliance of claim 33, thewater heater appliance comprising plural internal conduits extendingwithin the interior of the housing, two or more of the internal conduitseach having a fixed conduit section that is fixed in position relativeto the housing and a movable conduit section that is coupled to thefixed conduit section for movement relative to the fixed conduit sectionand for movement relative to the housing.
 49. The water heater applianceof claim 33, the movable conduit section being decouplable from thefixed conduit section for the movement relative to the fixed conduitsection and for the movement relative to the housing, the movableconduit section being configured to be decoupled from the fixed conduitsection, reoriented relative to the fixed conduit section, and recoupledto the fixed conduit section in a new orientation.